The deal will make Bharti Airtel the largest telecoms operator in the Mumbai circle with about 7 million subscribers, ahead of rival Vodafone's Indian unit.

This buyout could be the first deal at a time when industry is gearing for consolidation. Though government is about to announce new M&A guidelines, the deal can go through even under the existing rules.

Loop Mobile has a debt of Rs 400 crore, which is likely to be included in the final transaction. Loop's licence is expiring in the last quarter of this year. As per present rules, Loop which holds 8 mhz of airwave frequency in 900mhz band was required to participate in auction that concluded on February 13 to win back its spectrum for continuing operations.

The company, however, did not participate in the auction.

A Bharti spokesman declined to comment. Loop did not have an immediate comment.